I can't think of a more boring and dulling film to watch than Goodfella's. Perhaps its popularity lies in its nurturing particular get rich quick playing by your own rules fantasies that are particular to a certain type of American mindset. That's all well and good for the average prole I guess, it turned out well in the end for Ray Liotta's character, he settled down to a quiet surburban life as if the mafia scenes were all just a dream. Back to normality after having an adventure. Quite childish really, but I don't think the average American could have tolerated seeing the really ugly side to "business". They get this sanitised fantasy version and lap it up, proclaiming the director as a "genius" and a "visionary" because they appreciate someone who knows just how far they are prepared to look at reality. Taxi Driver I also found to be mediocre and much over hyped. The character is lonely and "alienated", even from himself, making it into a female murder mystery is a cop out. Gangs of New York is also forgettable.
Now back to Shutter Island, hopefully people can give me a more reasoned explanation of what their particular problem with it was.
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